One of the biggest — and least discussed — marketing issues gyms face is poor geo-targeting. If your ads are running too wide, you’re likely wasting hundreds or even thousands on people who will never join.
Why Poor Geo-Targeting Hurts
Members join gyms close to home; very few will travel more than 20–30 minutes. Every click outside your true area is wasted ad spend. Ads served to the wrong audience dilute your brand and reduce engagement.
The Costs Add Up
Even if only a portion of your clicks come from outside your area, that’s a significant amount of wasted budget. Over a year, it can add up to thousands in lost opportunities.
How to Fix It
Use the location tools in Google Ads and Meta Ads to tightly define your catchment area by suburb, postcode or radius. Analyse your reports regularly to see where clicks are coming from. If you spot “leakage,” adjust immediately.
The Payoff of Local Reach
When your ads target the right people, your cost per acquisition drops and your lead quality improves. You’ll also get better brand awareness among locals most likely to join.
Get Your Targeting Right
If you suspect your ads are leaking, don’t wait until your budget is drained.
